INTRODUCTION

• Adolescents (10–19 years) constitute nearly one-fifth of India's population, making their nutritional status crucial for human capital formation.
• India faces a double burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition, anaemia, and stunting coexist with rising obesity and lifestyle diseases, threatening the country's demographic dividend.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADOLESCENT MALNUTRITION

• Nutrition Transitionà Increased consumption of ultra-processed, energy-dense foods due to aggressive marketing+ Ultra-processed food retail grew at 13.37% CAGR (2011–2021).
• Physical Inactivityà Around 74% of adolescents do not meet WHO-recommended physical activity levels.
• Dietary Imbalanceà Cereals provide nearly 50% of dietary protein against the NIN recommendation of 32%+ Low intake of fruits, vegetables, pulses, and eggs.
• Anaemia & Micronutrient Deficiencyà NFHS-5: Anaemia affects 59.1% of adolescent girls and 31.1% of boys.
• School-Level Constraintsà Over 1 lakh single-teacher schools cannot adequately provide nutrition education or physical education.
• Economic Barriersà Nutrient-rich diets remain expensive, while ultra-processed foods are relatively cheaper.

IMPACT OF ADOLESCENT MALNUTRITION

• Health: Rising obesity, Type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and persistent undernutrition.
• Economic: Every 1% reduction in adult height due to stunting reduces productivity by 1.4%.
• Maternal Health: Increases maternal mortality, low birth weight, and preterm births.
• Education: Poor cognitive development and reduced learning outcomes.
• Social: Obesity-related stigma and psychological distress.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

• Mission Poshan 2.0 – Supplementary nutrition and Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) support.
• PM POSHAN – Mid-day meals for school children.
• Anaemia Mukt Bharat (WIFS) – Weekly Iron-Folic Acid supplementation.
• FSSAI Regulations – Front-of-pack nutrition labelling and restriction of HFSS foods within 50 metres of schools.
• CBSE Sugar Boards – Promoting awareness about hidden sugars.

WAY FORWARD

• Promote healthy school meals and nutrition education.
• Strengthen physical education and sports infrastructure.
• Regulate marketing of ultra-processed foods targeting children.

CONCLUSION

• Addressing adolescent malnutrition is critical to achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• A comprehensive strategy combining nutrition security, healthy lifestyles, stronger school-based interventions, and effective implementation of government schemes is essential to build a healthier and more productive workforce, thereby realizing India's demographic dividend.